SWAT standoff spurs apartment evacuations, tear gas

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BELLEVUE – Several people were evacuated from a Bellevue apartment complex after police say a man pulled a gun on his friend during a late night chess match. Hours later — following a barricade and shots of tear gas — the man gave himself up to authorities.

Police said they received a call from a man around 2 a.m., saying he’d gone over to his neighbor’s house to play chess. The two got into an argument, and the suspect allegedly pulled a gun on the caller. The caller was able to leave the apartment safely before calling 911.

Police evacuated a couple of adjoining apartment units. The SWAT team tried to talk with the armed suspect, but he allegedly refused.

SWAT Teams tear gassed the building at around 6:30 a.m. and loud bangs from the apartment were heard. Reporters on the scene said tear gas poured from the building. The man’s wife called Q13 FOX and said that the man was scared that police would shoot him.

The man gave himself up at 10:10 a.m.

Several roads around the complex in the 1800 block of 108th Avenue SE were closed while police try talking to the suspect who has barricaded himself in his apartment. Bellevue Way was open to traffic at 5:14 a.m., but 112th Avenue was blocked. Both Interstate 90 ramps to Bellevue Way were shut down for a short time, but reopened at 6:45 a.m.